Madrid edging towards securing F1 Grand Prix from 2026

Talks between Formula 1 and city officials to host a grand prix on the streets of Madrid from the 2026 season are progressing steadily and an agreement could be finalized within weeks, according to Autosport.

The proposed 5km circuit laid out around Madrid's IFEMA convention center and fairgrounds would include existing roads like the M-11 motorway.

It would also loop around football club Real Madrid's Valdebebas training complex and the former site of the Mad Cool music festival before returning to IFEMA's main pavilion to complete the lap.

Total agreement has already been granted by Madrid's city and community councils.

However, race organizers are still seeking external investors so the event can be privately financed in full.

Autosport has learned that Fernando Alonso's ex-manager, Luis Garcia Abad, is a prime figure behind this deal.

If confirmed, the event would likely be referred to as the Madrid Grand Prix.

The trademarks "Formula 1 Madrid Grand Prix" and "Madrid Grand Prix" were registered in March this year.

With Spain's existing grand prix in Barcelona having a contract until 2026, it means the country could host two F1 races that season before Madrid takes over completely.

But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has insisted two Spanish races per year is not sustainable long-term.

"You can never say never, but two races in Spain is very complicated," he stated when news of Madrid's interest first emerged.

Domenicali also highlighted Formula 1's strong partnership with the Barcelona event.

However, he did admit there was "great interest" in bringing F1 racing to the streets of the Spanish capital.

The arrival of a Madrid race from 2026 would likely spell the end for Barcelona's hosting duties.

Spain previously hosted two grands prix from 2008 to 2012 when Valencia held the European Grand Prix.

Interest in Formula 1 in Spain has spiked recently thanks to the championship's exponential growth in popularity globally, Fernando Alonso's strong performances since returning last year with Alpine, and Carlos Sainz's race-winning form with Ferrari.

This resurgence was evidenced by a reported race day attendance of 125,565 spectators at May's Spanish Grand Prix.

This was the Barcelona track's highest attendance figures since 2008.